Automatic signaling device.



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AUTOMATIC SIGNALING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23, 1007.

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PATENTED DEC. 17, 1907. L. .GAPUTO. AUTOMATIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23, 1907.

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AUTOMATIC- SIGNALING DEVICE. APPLICATION IILED AUG. 23, 1907.

PATENTED DEC. 17, 1907.

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LOUIS OAPUTO, OF EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 17, 1907.

Application filed August 23,1907. Serial No. 389.353.

I has for its object the prevention of collisions,eitherhead-on orrear-end.

The fundamental principle consists of a series of alternating trackwires which are electrically connected with signaling devices placed inlocomotive cabs or other moving vehicles so that when two of saidvehicles are on the same track wire, automatic signals are sounded ineach.

I prefer to provide, in' addition to the si naling device, a telephonesystem which wi 1 enable the car operators to converse and ascertain theexact nature of the threatened trouble.

In the drawings, which form part of this specification,Figure 1 is a'diagram representing two approaching locomotives on the same track withthe signaling and talking devices indicated in enlarged outline above.Fig. 2 represents the arrangement of' the track Wires. Fig. 3 representsone of the signaling devices. Fig. 4 shows a rear-view of a portion of acar illustrating the 'arran ement. of the trailers. Fig.5 represents asi e view of what is shown in Fig. 4. Fi 6 shows, in partial section online 5-5 of Fig. 3, the.

magnetic arm on the clock.

A and B represent approaching locomotives on a single track C, bothbeing within the limits of the same track wire D. The track wires D andE are of any suitable length, supported in alternated position (see Fig.2) between the rails. of track C. They are preferably supported on thetrack ties F v by means of insulated supports G. (Figs.

4 and 5). v

To the frame of the vehicle (A orB) I attach'pivotally at 10 trolleyarms 11, 11 insulated therefrom and carrying trolley wheels 12,12adapted to reston track wires. D and E. Wheels 12 have a broad tread topermit of the necessaryplay when rounding curves. They archers shown asresting on the track Wire's by gravity, although spring action can beemployed if desired. The ends of the track wires D and E are depressedas shown at 13', Fig. 5, to permit easy approach of the trolley wheels,and adjustable means, as the bolt 14, maintains the wheel inproperelevation when bridging the space between two track wires. Wire 15connects the trolleys with the signaling device'in the cab.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, my signaling device will be described asfollows :The numeral 20 represents a clock of ordinary constructionexcept that the second hand 21 is constructed differently and for aspecial purpose, being insulated from the clock I spindle 22, as shownin Figs. 3 and 6, at 23. Surrounding the clock dial are two metal rings24 and 25, each rovided withaseries of equally spaced pe orations 26adapted to receive frictionally the shanks 27 of plugs 28. Thisarrangement permits. of varied combinations of plugs 28 for a purposepresently to be explained. These rings 24 and 25- are respectivelyconnected to batteries 29 and 30 by means of wires 31 and 32. Belowclock 20 I prefer to locate a signaling apparatus which is here shown inthe form of a complete telephone, comprising the bells'33, their magnet34, induction coil 35, transmitter 36 and receiver 37. Of

these, only the first two are needed for signaling purposes, and therest may be omitted where the telephone feature is not desired. It isdesirable that every engine shall b similarly equipped and that thisequipment shall automatically cause signaling in both of any two enginesthat may get on the. same track wire. It is therefore necessary toprovide forchange in polarity in each engine circuit/in order to insurecompletion of same by said track wire. This is accomplished by the twobatteries 29 and 30 and also by varying the combinations of plugs- 28.To insure this change of polarity, the second hand 21in one engine mustbe in electrical contact with. ring 24 when the other engine has itshand 21in electrical contact with ring 25. It is evident that if plugs28 were combined similarly in both engines they might permit completerevolution of second-hands 21 without producing the required change ofpolarity; consequently within the telephone box at S (Fig. 3) which arenecessary to the telephone system but I wire 48, battery teries 29 and'30 are thus illustrated, and I could be omitted otherwise.

Referring to Fig. 1, engines A and B are shown on the same track wire 'Dand in ringing connection. The circuits can be traced as follows:Fr0mthe copper of battery 29, engine A, through wire 31 to ring 24, thenceby secondihand 21 to wire 40 to contact 41, wire 42, wire 43 to rail oftrack C and thus to engine B, thence by wire-44 and wire 45, contact 46,wire 47 to secondhand 21, ring 25, 30, wire 49, bells 33, wire 59, wire52,:trolleywheel 12, track wire D back to engine A, thence by trolleywheel 12, wire 1-5, wire 51, "to bells 33, wire 52 to 'zinc of battery29.- If engine A was connected to and B to ring 24, the circuit could besimilarlyltraced, beginning at engine B. The"- peculiar functions ofbatattach great importance to this feature. By arranging them in series,either one is automatically brought into action without affecting theother. The circuit traced above will cause both bells to ring, and an.alarm issounded every time the two secondhands 21 are dissimilarlyengaged by rings 24 and 25. The ringing can be stopped by breakingeither contact41 or 46. Where the telephone system is installed,the-ringing of the bells would act as an ordinary telehone call. Eachengine-driver would take 's receiver 37 from its hook 60, thus cuttingout his ownbells, by breaking the contacts 41 or 46.

By a study of Fig. 1 it will be seen that when engine A lifts itsreceiver, engine Bs bell will continue to ring by the following circuit,remembering that the lifting of As receiver breaks contact 41 and makescontact 61, due to the spring action of bar62,

which is engaged by the inner end of hook 60 :From the copper of battery29, by wire 63 engine B to ring 24,.second-hand 21,

- wire 47, contact 46, wire 45, wirev 44, track wire 66, contact 61 totransmitter 36, thence C wire' 43 (engine A),'wire 64, battery 65,

by wire 15 to wheel 12, track wire D to engm'e'B, thence by wire 52,wire to bells 33 and wire 49 to the zinc of battery 29 in engine B. WhenB lifts its receiver, both bells, are'out of circuit and a talkingcircuit is ready to be established. In the drawings, but onetalkingbattery 65 is shown for each .engine. A similar arrangement to that-forthe bells could be installed, employing a .second battery and clock but'I prefer to "provide-other means for obtaining change of polarity inthe talking circuit, and for this purpose I interpolate a switch whichwill preferably be operated --by hand tochange the -pole connections ofone of the batteries 65; If A and B- should operate their switchessimultaneously, of course no result would be obtained, but that wouldrarely happen and when the talking circuit is established neither wouldfurther manipulate his switch until they rang off The two positions ofswitch 70 are'shown in Fig. 3 by the full and dotted lines, arms 71 and72 being insulated from each other by insulations 73 shown. in Fig. 1..When the talking circuit is established, conversation takes place overthe following circuit, re membering that contacts 41 and 46 are brokenand contacts 61 and 75 are made, and thatAs switch only is turned to thedotted position shown in Fig. 3. From the copper of ,Bs battery 65, wire76', contact 75, tov

transmitter 36, wire 52 to wheel 12 and track wire D to engine A; thenceby wire 15 to arm 72 to wire 64, wire 43 to track C to. engine B; thenceby wire 44, and wire 79 to the zinc of battery 65.

Fig.6 shows the method of connecting wire .40 to second hand 21.

A bracket 80 carries a roll 81 pivoted over the dial center,

around which wire 40 is secured. It is to be understood that myinvention is not limited to the specific details of construction shownin the ac 'Smpanying drawings, but that said details may be varied inthe pratical carrying outof my invention. It is also to be understoodthat the combinations specifically set forth in the several claims areintended to be separately claimed without limitationto the use inconnection therewith of other features and details of constructionillustrated.

I claim as my invention 1. An automatic signaling apparatus consistingof signaling devices to be carried by moving vehicles, a track uponwhich said ve hicles are adapted to run, means for connect ing thesignaling devices, and a clock'carried by each signaling device wherebyautomatic signals are sounded in each ofthe vehicles on any one sectionof the track.

2. An automatic signaling apparatus consisting of signaling devices to ecarried by vehicles, a track upon which said vehicles are adapted torun, alternating track wires electrically connected with said signalingde- -vices, and a clock carried by each signaling" device wherebyautomatic signals are sounded in each of the vehicles on the same trackWire:

3. The combination with a track and moving vehicles thereon'of signalingdevices car ried by said'vehicles, each signaling device provided with aclock having a second hand 21, two metal rings 24, 25'surrounding itsdial eachpro vided with a series of equally spaced perforations, plugs,28' adapted to have their shanks frictionally held irPsaidperforations, and the plugs arranged to varied combinations, and meansfor Connecting the signaling devices of any two vehicles on any sectionof the track whereby automatic signals are sounded in each of said twovehicles when the second hand has reached certain plugs.

.4. An automatic signaling apparatus consisting ofa track, vehiclesadapted to move.

upon said track, each vehicle provided with two or more batteries, aclock, a signaling device and a telephone, meansfor connecting thebatteries with the clocks, signaling devices and telephones, alternatingtrack wires, and means connecting the batteries, clocks,

' signaling. devices and telephones with the track and track wires.

5. An automatic signaling apparatus consisting of signaling devicesto becarried by vehicles, a track upon which said vehicles 7 are adaptedtorun, a clock carried by each signaling device, alternating track wireselectrically connected with said signaling devices so that when two ofsaid vehicles are on the same track wire automatic signals are soundedin each, and a telephone system connected with the signaling deviceswhich will enable the operators in said two vehicles to converse.

6. An automatic signaling apparatus consisting of a track, locomotivecabs adapted to move over said .trackyalternating track wires, each cabprovided with a signaling apparatus, a clock carried by each signalingap paratus within each locomotive,a battery,

means connecting the signaling apparatus and battery, and meansconnecting them with the track and track wires.

7. An automatic signaling apparatus consisting of a track, locomotivesadapted to move over said track, alternating track wires, eachlocomotive provided with a tele phone and signaling apparatus, eachsignaling apparatus provided with a clock ,Within the locomotive,batteries, wiring connecting the batteries and telephone and signalingapl paratus, means connecting the telephone and signaling apparatus withthe track wires, and means connecting the telephone and one of thebatteries with the track.

8. An automatic signaling apparatus consisting of a track, locomotivesadapted to move over said track, alternating track comotive as follows,a clock 20 rovided with a second hand 21, a clock spin le 22, insulation23 between thesecond hand and spindle, an outer metal'rmg 24, an innermetal ring 25, a SGIIGS Qf plugs 28 adapted to be arranged invariedcombinations around the wires D, E, signaling apparatus upon thelo- I rings and having their shanks frictionally bar 62, hook 6.0, a

65, a wire 31 connected between the V other, ringing aptelephoneapparatus having a receiver adapted to rest upon the hook, and wiringconnecting the telephone apparatus and track wires,

substantially as shown and described In testimony whereofl afliX mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

' LOUIS CAPUTO.

Witnesses:

CHARLES F. A. SMITH, H. B. 'RUGGLES.

